Bathroom remodel cost in Tuscaloosa, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,250 – $21,100
- Per sq ft
- $90.50 – $454
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #222
- 1 = most expensive
Tuscaloosa homeowners pay roughly $4,250 to $21,100 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $90.50 to $454 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Tuscaloosa is 9% lower. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $28.62 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, 7% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Tuscaloosa, AL, standard level
$9,300 to $16,100
About $200 to $345 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,700 | $8,100 |
| Permits and fees | $330 | $540 |
| Total | $9,300 | $16,100 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,150 | $6,400 | $10,700 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $440 | $700 | 3% |
| Total | $4,250 | $12,700 | $21,100 | 100% |
Where the Tuscaloosa price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, who do 25% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.62 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Tuscaloosa is 0.86 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Tuscaloosa metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,850, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.7) and land at $180 to $700.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Tuscaloosa. The wage table below marks each row.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Tuscaloosa is 0.86 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $28.62 an hour, which is 7% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.91 and $34.36 an hour. BLS counts 370 of them working in the area, 34.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Tuscaloosa metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $21.54 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.91 and $22.86 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.49 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.52 and $27.84 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 24.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.90 an hour, 5% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.58 and $34.50 an hour. About 560 work in the metro. That is 51.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $21.69 an hour, 23% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $19.50 and $21.69 an hour. About 40 work in the metro. That is 3.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.22 an hour, which is 6% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.78 and $27.12 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 8.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($34.36 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $350. At the 25th percentile ($22.91) it shrinks by about $350. The total moves by 2.7% or 2.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 108,460 jobs in the Tuscaloosa area. That makes it the 192nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.91 | $28.62 | $34.36 | $30.67 | 0.93 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $17.91 | $21.54 | $22.86 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $20.52 | $23.49 | $27.84 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.58 | $28.90 | $34.50 | $30.38 | 0.95 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $19.50 | $21.69 | $21.69 | $28.33 | 0.77 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $17.78 | $22.22 | $27.12 | $23.75 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: bathroom remodel pricing in Tuscaloosa
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Tuscaloosa wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,250 to $11,000
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,300 to $16,100
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,400 to $21,100
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,100 | $4,350 – $7,450 | $6,650 – $9,800 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,800 | $8,300 – $14,300 | $12,800 – $18,800 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,600 – $14,500 | $12,300 – $21,200 | $19,000 – $27,900 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,250 – $24,000 | $20,300 – $35,000 | $31,300 – $46,100 |
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Tuscaloosa
Moving plumbing
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity in place keeps plumbing costs down. Moving them does not.
Contractor fee
A general contractor charges $50-$150 an hour or 10-20% of the project cost.
Permit
A bathroom remodel permit is $200-$800, more if you move walls (HomeGuide).
Tuscaloosa against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Tuscaloosa. Auburn is the lowest at about $12,300 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 140 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, ALthis page | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | |
| Birmingham, AL60 miles | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Montgomery, AL95 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Decatur, AL105 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Huntsville, AL130 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | level |
| Auburn, AL140 miles | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −3% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Tuscaloosa comes in at #222 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Tuscaloosa is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | level |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −2% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Tuscaloosa's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Tuscaloosa against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $3,950 – $19,600 | $11,700 | −7% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $5,200 – $25,700 | $15,500 | +22% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | +4% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $4,500 – $22,400 | $13,500 | +6% |
Planning more than one job in Tuscaloosa?
Because every project leans on different trades, Tuscaloosa's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −6% and kitchen cabinets −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $820 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,500 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,400 | −11% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
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Multi-page report for Tuscaloosa, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Bathroom remodel in Tuscaloosa: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Tuscaloosa?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,250 to $21,100 in the Tuscaloosa area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,300 to $16,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Tuscaloosa?
About $90.50 to $454 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $700 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Tuscaloosa or Birmingham?
Birmingham is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,800, which is 1% more than Tuscaloosa ($12,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Tuscaloosa?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,400 out of $12,700. Materials are 46% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Tuscaloosa?
$5,600 to $27,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Tuscaloosa?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $700 for fees in the Tuscaloosa area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Tuscaloosa expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Tuscaloosa is 1% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($12,600 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Tuscaloosa?
The BLS median is $28.62 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.91 to $34.36.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Tuscaloosa?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $11,000 and premium work $14,400 to $21,100. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Tuscaloosa
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 45% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range split for bathroom projects (50% labor, 45% materials, 5% permits and design). Their sample is their own guides, not a survey of contractors, so treat the split as approximate.